Identifying indicator for racing harness



Jan. 23, 1951 G. PETTIGREW IDENTIFYING INDICATOR FOR RACING HARNESSFiled May 17, 1946 m K r r J P w M m 6 Patented Jan. 23, 1951 orriceIDENTIFYING INDICATOR FOR RACING HARNESS Garfield Pettigrew, Elwood,Ind.

Application May 17, 1946, Serial No. 670,451

2 Claims. (Cl. 40-20) This invention relates to an identifying indicatorsuch as a position number plate for racing harness, being particularlyapplicable to harness used on trotting horses.

It is customary for starting position numbers, relative to the poleposition on a race track, to be drawn by lot prior to each race. In thepast, the method of attaching a position number to the racing harnesshas been left to the ingenuity of the individual responsible for thehorse or other racing animal. This has resulted in a considerable amountof improvisation and a resultant lack of uniformity.

It is the object of this invention to provide an identifying indicatorwhich may be readily and conveniently attached to the harness and whichwill result in uniformity of means for position identification.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a position numberplate which is simple in construction, inexpensive to produce, of lightweight, and which ofiers little air resistance to the forward travel ofthe racing animal.

It is a further object of the. invention to provide such an indicatorwhich is attractive, serviceable, and readily visible to the crowd whichcustomarily identifies a horse or hound by its assigned number.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of thefollowing description.

The full nature of the invention will be understood from theaccompanying drawings and the following description and claims:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the identifying indicator.

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section therethrough with parts brokenaway.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing portions thereof with the indicatorremoved from its suppor Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a modificationof the supporting band thereof.

In the drawings for the purpose of illustrating one application of theinvention, the position number indicator in the form of a numbered plateI is shown secured to and supported by a standard consisting ofoppositely disposed spring metal straps II and I2 normally constrainedtowards separation. Said straps of the standard flare apart laterallyand then turn outwardly in a horizontal plane to form anchor portions I3and M which are adapted to seat within the spaced sockets l5 and 16.

The sockets are secured in spaced relation intermediate the ends of arigid supporting band i! 2 so constructed as to be readily attachableto'any racing harness. It is here shown with slot-like openings at I8and I9 so positioned that the check rein keeper 20a of theracing'harness indicated at 2! may be inserted therethrough in order toreceive and accommodate the check reins 20. Apertures 22 are provided atopposite ends of the supporting band being adapted to receive therosettes 23 of the harness, thereby enabling the supporting band I l tobe securely but removably attached thereto.

The position number plate it may be permanently fixed to the standard bythe rivets 24 and 25.

Following the assignment of a position number to a horse, the positionplate with its supporting standard may be attached readily and with easeto the supporting strap H by pinching the spring straps l I, l2 togetherand slipping the anchor portions l3, i l thereof into their respectivereceiving sockets I5, it. Since the straps are normally constrainedtowards separation, the anchor portions will interlock with the socketsuntil such a time as they are removed by manually overcoming theirspring tension and withdrawing the anchor portions from the sockets. Thesupporting band ll, however, would remain as a permanent fixture of theharness 2 I.

Fig. 4 shows a modification of the supporting band Ill with sockets H5and H6 in spaced relation adjacent the ends of said band. The socketsare adapted to receive anchor portions 53 and Id of the number plate it.At H8, H9,

522, and H3 are upwardly extending apertured ears which are adapted toreceive therethrough the check reins 29. The check rein keepers 20a ofthe racing harness 2| project upwardly therefrom adjacent the ends ofthe band Ill, and lie in the same plane as the ears H8, H9 and I22, 523,respectively. Thus, when the check reins 23 are run through said ears,they are at the same time run through the check rein keepers 28a. Thisarrangement steadies the band HT and keeps to a minimum the bounce ofthe identifying indicator ill.

The invention claimed is:

1. The combination with an identifying indicator having a legend bearingplate and a standard depending therefrom for use with racing harnessincluding check reins and check rein keepers, of a support member forsaid indicator, comprising a base, means to detachably receive andretain said standard, a pair of outwardly and upwardly extendingapertured ears secured to said base at each end thereof, the ears ofeach pair being spaced to receive one of said keepers therebetween on asubstantially common plane therewith, whereby said check reins may belaced through said ears and said keepers for holding said standard andsaid legend plate steady relative to the harness.

2. A support member for a horse identifying indicator used with racingharness having check reins and check rein keepers comprising a basehaving means to detachably receive and retain said indicator, 2. pair ofoutwardly and upwardly extending apertured ears secured to said base ateach end thereof, the ears of each pair being spaced to receive one ofsaid keepers therebetween on a substantially common plane therewith,whereby said check reins may be laced through said ears and said keepersfor holding said member steady relative to said harness.

GARFIELD PETTIGREW.

4 REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 241,453 Untermeyer May 10, 1881400,461 Knapp Apr. 2, 1889 416,759 Smith Dec. 10, 1889 646,983 HammerApr. 10, 1900 1,706,578 Lohn Mar. 26, 1929 1,942,444 OConner Jan. 9,1934 2,114,135 Butler Apr. 12, 1938

